Kobe Lloyd Franklin

Kobe Lloyd Franklin is a Canadian defender who developed through Toronto's academy system. Born in North York on May 10, 2003, he started with Beach Community Soccer before moving to Power Soccer Academy. In 2013, he joined the Chicago Fire Academy after his family relocated to Chicago, then returned to Toronto FC Academy in 2017. As a TFC III player, he became the youngest goalscorer in League1 Ontario history in August 2018, aged 15. Franklin signed with Toronto FC II in 2021, earning First Team All-Star recognition and finishing as a finalist for the league's Defender and Young Player of the Year awards. He signed a Homegrown contract with Toronto FC in February 2023 and made his first MLS start against New York City FC that April. At international level, Franklin represented Canada at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup and 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.